DeChambeau wins 1st PGA title at John Deere Classic; Johnson ties for 5th

Zach Johnson finished tied for fifth at 15-under at the John Deere Classic.

Bryson DeChambeau reacts to making a birdie putt on the 18th hole resulting in winning the John Deere Classic during the final round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament at TPC Deere Run.(Photo: Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports)

SILVIS, Ill. — Bryson DeChambeau left Southern Methodist in 2015 after becoming just the fifth golfer to win the NCAA and U.S. Amateur titles the same year. Then he turned pro in 2016, when he mustered just one top-10 finish. In 2017, he missed eight straight PGA Tour cuts from April to June and entered this weekend ranked 114th in the FedEx Cup race.

Now, he's the John Deere Classic champion.

After starting Sunday four strokes off the leader, Patrick Rodgers, DeChambeau ripped off six birdies in his final nine holes to shoot a 65 and finish at 18-under, one stroke ahead of Rodgers. The win moves DeChambeau to 34th in the FedEx Cup standings and qualifies him for next week's Open Championship.

"It feels like it's been a long time coming, even though I'm 23," DeChambeau said. " ... I think that Jordan (Spieth) set the tone quite a bit for us (young golfers). Especially after winning the 2015 NCAAs and U.S. Amateur in the same year, I was kind of on a high from that and was playing incredible golf. And I went into a bit of a lull, trying to understand my golf swing a little bit more and was messing around with some things.

Bryson DeChambeau autographs his glove for a young fans after winning the John Deere Classic golf tournament at TPC Deere Run.(Photo: Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports)

"Unfortunately (that) took me off track, but I realized quickly what I needed to do to get back on track and I was able to right the ship about three or four weeks ago. And it's been steady Eddie ever since."

Rodgers shot a 1-under 70, with two of his four costly bogeys coming on the 14th and the 17th. He nearly forced a playoff, though, chipping his 51-foot birdie attempt within about a foot of the hole on No. 18.

"Obviously a few holes I wish I had back," Rodgers said, "but my caddie and I were a great team today. I'm going to hold my head high and move forward and expect to win soon."

Zach Johnson's third-round 70 came back to bite him Sunday. He shot a 4-under 67 in the final round, leaving him in a tie for fifth at 15-under, three strokes off the lead.

"This was probably the best round I played. I just didn't score," Johnson said. "As far as opportunities, putting myself in position when I needed to make a run, it was a very solid day in that regard.

Jul 16, 2017; Silvis, IL, USA; Zach Johnson talks to his caddie on the second tee box during the final round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament at TPC Deere Run.(Photo: Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports)

"Certainly my last 36 holes there was plenty of opportunities. I just didn't capitalize. I mean, shooting 1-under (70) around here in these conditions, you're probably going to lose a little bit to the field regardless of what day it is and where you're situated."

Johnson will fly to England tomorrow for The Open Championship, he said, and try to get some practice in if he gets there early enough.

This situation looks a whole lot like 2015 — when Johnson tied for third at the John Deere Classic, leaving Silvis disappointed with the way he played down the stretch. That year, he followed up the disappointment with an Open Championship title.

Could 2017 go the same way?

"I hope so," Johnson said. "I know my game is trending. I've been saying that for a while, but I know it's trending. It's just a matter of when, not if. If it's next week, fantastic. But I'm going to keep plugging. I think the best is yet to come.

"Certainly the arsenal in my golf bag is as good as it's ever been. I think it's just really about scoring and making putts, and I like that challenge."

Matthew Bain covers preps, recruiting and the Hawkeyes for the Iowa City Press-Citizen, The Des Moines Register and HawkCentral. Contact him at mbain@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @MatthewBain_.